Central Union Mission on the Move from 14th Street

In a letter to Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Central Union Mission Executive Director David Treadwell said that the shelter is on the move. The shelter is at the southeast corner of 14th and R Streets NW. Graham released the letter on the U Street News listserv.

“Beginning in May, our homeless shelter and Spiritual Transformation Program (STP) will be housed at 810 5th Street, NW, in the former home of Gospel Rescue Ministries. We anticipate providing services to approximately 120 men while we wait for our renovation project [at 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW] to be completed early this fall.”

Central Union Mission has been rooted in the Logan Circle community and serving the homeless population for nearly 30 years. However, the organization is building a new home at 65 Massachusetts Avenue NW, and construction on the new Eric Colbert & Associates development project is expected to begin this spring.

The closure and relocation of Central Union Mission makes way for 50 condo units and retail spaces at 1350 R Street NW would seem to present a potent symbol of the changes and demographics of the area brought about by urban renewal.

The Washington Post reports the new development will include roughly 50 units of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom condos, ranging in space from 800 square feet to 1,000 square feet each. The Post also reports that the condos will cost around $419,900 to $849,900, and the project is expected to take 14 months to complete.

The retail businesses have not been decided for the building, but The Post article says the developers will be picky about the retailers that go into the new building to ensure the businesses are good neighbors to the residents.